Been offered a big contract - having doubts

Been offered to install a client server system for a business which employs arounds 20 people. I would do this in a weekend. I believe the design has already been drawn up and I have access to the person who designed it but he is currentlty too ill to work.

My doubts are that is has been five years since I last installed a Windows 2003 server system and I have no experience since. I do have a 6 month education trial copy I can install and I can make a system in my house to get my familer with it. But my worries are the more complicated things which I may get stuck on.

I do have plenty of TCP/IP knowledge.

This customer is a very regular client and gets me a lot of work so I don't want to let her down by turning this down or let her down by making a mess of it .

I am 50/50 on what to do.

 

No, you're not.

If in doubt, leave it out.

Don't feel bad, tell her what you have told us.

Sorted.

 

No, don't be a girl. Do it.

If you **** it up don't charge them.

But you won't because you are a good lad that worries to much.

 

sound advice

 

I was once employed as a contract IT manager in a company with a very large global Lotus Notes installation, so part of the role was to be a 'Notes Spoke Administrator'. At the time I interviewed and got the role I was kind of aware of Note's existence, but I'd never actually seen a copy. I kept that fact to myself. I got the job and they kept renewing the contract for well over a year. I spent much of that time in the server room with a Notes manual! At the end of the year I knew a lot about Notes and had been paid a lot to learn it too. Win win. I picked up a hell of a lot about AS/400s there as well as I was responsible for one of them too! I've done all my best learning under pressure. A huge part of IT is being able to think on your feet IMO, I'd take the contract if I was you.

Tony.

PS Windows 2003? It's only a bleedin' operating system, so how hard can it be? All the concepts are bog standard e.g. network, users, files, permissions etc. So what's the problem if you have to look in a slightly different dialogue box to find them?

 

Well, there you are.

Two sides of the arguement. (Gary might be right)

Only you can decide

 

Yep go for it, just make you give yourself enough time to play around with it to get it working sweetly (and therefore make sure your quote includes something for that unknown time). I too have had to learn complex stuff in a short period of time due to being thrown in at the deep end, but it all turned out fine in the end!

 

Why dont you advise them that you are really busy but can get someone in who does know what they are doing and put your mark up on that company and bill them.That way you make a buck and they get their system. Just make sure you use someone reliable.Chances are they just want the problem solved and arent too fussy how they go about it,obviously within reason.

 

yep - go for it...you want to progress your life / career don't you..?

I just got a new job in a managerial capacity...I haven't a clue what it entails but will do when I walk into the new office in a weeks time...

 

Congratulations.

 

cheers - it's an internal move (same company) but on a government account...I actually got offered the job in june but due to level 1 approval taking so long I only start the role in a weeks time..!

 

Yes, good point.

Allow yourself a little extra time to sort out niggles, that the beauty of your position you can manage your own time.

 

Indeed.

 

Don't undercharge. Weekend work for expertise is expensive, they use you thus far because you are cheap and reliable. Now you can make a few quid. I would expect as a minimum to walk away from that weekend half a K better off.

 

I'm in the wrong trade.

 

Bleeding obvious isn't it?

1) Quote high.
2) Hire a more experienced subcontractor
3) Do the work
4) Take the cash
5) Make even more from a 'maintenance contract'.... and hire a subby to do that for you if they ever need it too.


If you're running a business you need to start thinking ''we'' instead of ''me''.

 

"Winging it" is far from unknown in all walks of life.

 

yeah, buy knowing At he'll charge 20 quid...

 

At least, closer to one k would be more like it!!